The History of McGill University's Buildings

Description

Douglas Hall was built in 1936 by Harold Fetherstonhaugh, who designed many other campus projects including the William and Henry Birks Building, and his current partner Alexander Durnford. It was named after James Douglas II who bestowed $200,000 on the University in 1915 with the request that the money be used to provide a men's residence.

Following the bequest, Percy Erskine Nobbs, a Professor of Design of the School of Architecture, had submitted plans in 1918 for a large residence situated just north of the Percival Molson Stadium, but they were not approved by the University.

Douglas Hall today stands unchanged from its original conception. The stone exterior encloses a central courtyard on three sides. The interior shows stone and wood floors and plaster and wood walls. The furnished rooms are organized into suites of three to five bedrooms opening onto a common living room. Each living room has its own custom designed fireplace. The hall is divided into eight houses of which six have three floors and two have four floors; each floor contains two suites with a common bathroom. Douglas also features a large dining hall with an exposed timber ceiling, a common room with a grand piano and several sofas for student recreation, and a quiet study lined with oak bookshelves and lit by globe shaped lights. At its opening, Douglas commanded a view of downtown extending to the St. Laurent and beyond. Today, the stands of the Percival Molson Stadium have been extended and block much of this view, except from the top floors.